Southern Fried Corn Recipe (Ready in Minutes!)

Sweet and buttery with the perfect pop of salt, this Southern Fried Corn Recipe keeps dinner quick, simple, and packed with comfort. One bite, and you're right back in Grandma's kitchen on a hot summer night with a skillet full of memories on the stovetop.

Corn is my kids' favorite side dish, and around here, we make it often and in all kinds of ways. But when it comes to that flavor-meets-nostalgia combo, this recipe is hands-down my favorite. The same way my grandmother made it: fresh corn, plenty of butter, nothing fancy, just completely and entirely perfect. The flavor is authentically Southern, where the corn stays front and center and every bite feels like home.

Why This Recipe Works

Contrary to what some might believe, fried corn actually isn't fried. There's no batter and zero carnival vibes. It's somewhat creamy but unlike traditional creamed corn. This recipe for fried corn is lighter, fresher, and lets corn take center stage.

In combination with the butter, the natural milk from the cob, and a touch of flour, you get a silky texture that's rich in flavor, but not heavy.

As someone who develops Southern comfort food recipes for a living, I can guarantee this side dish is a keeper. Whether it's a weeknight dinner or a summer cookout, this recipe is always a win.

And if Southern corn sides are your favorite, like us, definitely try Cream Corn Casserole.

Southern Fried Corn Ingredients

Corn | This recipe is best with fresh corn so that you can scrape the cobs and get all that precious corn milk in the pan (We use fresh in Cream Corn Soup too). It's a little thing that makes a big difference! Corn milk is naturally starchy, adding a creamy texture to the dish, and comes extra concentrated with big corn flavor. While we highly recommend going the fresh route, we know canned corn makes for a great easy button, especially in Corn Souffle and its super-similar sister dish, Cornbread Pudding. If you just don't have the time, you can sub 5 cups of corn kernels.

Butter | This recipe doesn't call for bacon fat or cream; it just calls for butter. And, if there's one flavor combination Southerners know (and love), it's corn and butter. Cooking the corn in butter adds rich flavor and helps to develop those gorgeous golden edges that set skillet-fried corn apart.

Flour | All-purpose flour helps to add body to the dish and adds a light, flavorful coating to the corn. It's part of what makes this dish so warm and comforting.

Seasoning | All you need is a bit of sugar to enhance the corn's natural sweetness and classic seasonings like Kosher salt and black pepper to round things out.

How to Prepare Fresh Corn

Shuck the Corn | Shuck the corn by pulling the outer green husks down toward the base of the cob. Snap off the stalk, then remove the silk with a damp paper towel or a vegetable brush under cool running water.

Remove the Kernels | The easiest way to cut corn off the cob is to use a bundt pan. If you don't have a bundt pan, place a small bowl inside a larger mixing bowl. Place the tip of the corn into the center hole. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice downward, allowing the kernels to fall into the pan.

Milk the Corn | To milk the corn, carefully use the dull side of your knife to scrape down the length of the cob, allowing the corn milk to fall into your pan or bowl.

How to Make Southern Fried Corn

Add Corn to Pan | Add the butter to a large fry pan over medium heat. Once melted, add the corn and corn milk to the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add Remaining Ingredients | Add the sugar, salt, pepper, and flour and stir. Continue to stir for about 2-3 minutes more.

Serve + Enjoy | Remove the heat, allow to cool slightly, serve, and enjoy!

What to Serve with Fried Corn

With Meat | The options are endless for incorporating this classic side into your meal. Pick your protein from the long list of hearty and comforting classics like Southern-Style Meatloaf, fried chicken, smoked pork chops, or BBQ spare ribs.

With More Veggies | Everyone loves a house salad, and collard greens balance the richness of fried corn with savory, slow-cooked flavor, making for a well-rounded, down-home plate.

With Carbs | Mashed potatoes, Country Gravy, and buttermilk biscuits are the ultimate Southern comfort trio—and when paired with sweet, buttery fried corn, they turn any meal into a hearty, homestyle feast. Don't forget the cornbread, too!

5 More Southern Side Dishes You’ll Love

• Southern Green Beans | Slow cooked with bacon and onion for a tender, savory side dish packed with classic Southern flavor.
• Shells and Cheese | Ultra-creamy, perfectly cheesy, and made with tender pasta shells that soak up every bit of rich, comforting goodness.
• Purple Hull Peas | Simmered low and slow with smoky bacon and spices, delivering a hearty, Southern-style side full of down-home flavor.
• Potato Patties | Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and the perfect way to turn leftover mashed potatoes into a golden, savory treat.
• Fried Squash | Crispy, golden, and perfectly seasoned—an irresistible Southern side that’s crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside.